Combined tooth brush holder and sterilizer



Nov. 16, 1937. F. E, HAR-r 2,099,336

COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER AND STERILIZER Fred Z/ Ha ff Nov. 16, 1937.

F. E. HART COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER AND STERILIZER Filed Sept. 30, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/Wto@ Fred E' Hari Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES COMBINED TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER ANDY STERILIZER Fred E. Hart, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 30, 1936, Serial No. 103,466

l Claim.

This invention relates to a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer and more particularly to improvements on that type shown in my pending application, Serial No. 7 2,817.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer wherein the embodiment thereof is of simple construction.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision o-f a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer adapted to be constructed so as to readily permit replacement of the cartridges thereof.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer adapted to be constructed in such manner that various color schemes may be employed in decorating its exterior.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of Va combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer adapted to have a particularly constructed cartridge heating element.

Aside from the aforesaid objects, this invention resides in the provision of a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer of such construction that constant flow of fresh air thereto is permitted.

Among the many objects of this invention is the provision of a particularly constructed heating element and its co-relation to certain adjuncts of the toothbrush holder and sterilizer,

With Vthese and other objects in view this invention resides in certain novel features o-f construction and arrangement of elements to be hereinafter more fully set forth in the specication, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim and, while this disclosure depicts my present conception of the invention, the right is reserved to resort to such changes in arrangement and construction as come within the scope of the claim. y

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application:

Fig. 1 is a side View of a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer as constructed in accordance removed.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view approximately ,on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom View.

Fig. 7 is a detail side view of the heating element showing a portion thereof broken away.

In the present illustration of this invention the numeral 5 designates, in general, a toothbrush holder and sterilizer which preferably consists of a base 6, a cylindrical body portion 'i formed of dielectric material, a top 8 and an electric heating element 9 adapted to removably retain a cartridge C containing a fume discharging chemical therein. A Y

Within the body portion 'l and extending inwardly from the base t thereof is a heating element chamber l@ which is open at its lower end as at il to permit insertion of the heating element 9 therein and having a restricted lexit port l2 at its upper end to permit escape of fumes from ythe chemical cartridge when heated by a suitable electric resistance coil herein indicated at i3, connected to a source of electricity by wires Hl through the instrumentality of any well-known electrical connection.

Surrounding the aforesaid heating element chamber is a fume chamber l5 having a cover I6 thereon which is provided with fume exit ports Il and toothbrush handle receiving apertures I8. Said cover is herein shown as being provided with a screw i9 adapted to support a fume deector 2li shown in dotted lines to retard excursion of the fumes from the chamber l5 to subject the toothbrushes to treatment over a longer period than where the fumes pass directly through the ports.

In order to cause the fumes from the heating element chamber to follow an indirect course toward the exit ports Il a deilector 2l is removably secured in spaced relation over the port i2.

The top 8 is sufficiently large to accommodate the bristle ends of a series of toothbrushes so as to permit circulation of the fumes therearound and, in order to permit a constant circulation of air through the aforesaid chambers, the base of the heating element is spaced from the base 6 to provide an air inlet 22, whereby fresh air will flow beneath the base 6 into the heating element chamber where it will be charged with fumes from the chemical within the cartridge and enter the fume chamber from which it will proceed toward the top of Ythe cover through a suitable ventilator indicated at 23 and, where excursion of the fumes within the cover is to be retarded, a screw 24 is provided in the top to support a delector herein indicated at 25. While the air inlet port 22 is herein formed as aforesaid, the bottom of the base 6 may be provided with air inlet and moisture exit ports.

The heating element 9 is preferably formed of a block of dielectric material having an opening 26 in its base in communication with which is supported a removable electric resistance coil tube 2l stabilized at its upper end by a removable disc 28 adapted to be secured to the heating element block by a screw 29.

Formed on the block of the electric heating element is a pivoted spring clip 38 adapted to retain the cartridge within the heating element tube by bearing against a resilient cup 3| in which the cartridge is placed prior to insertion into the opening 2liA In order to promote the attractiveness of the toothbrush holders and also to permit manufacturing of the same in Various combination of colors, the body portion is surrounded or covered by one or more removable collars 32 constructed fromv any desired material.

With this invention constructed as aforesaid the heating element is removably secured to the base of the toothbrush holder in such manner that fresh air will enter the tubeZT and commingle with the fumes created by heating the cartridge, whereupon the fumes will continue to flow through the fume chamber l5 into the top for contact with the bristles of the toothbrushes and then pass to the atmosphere through the ventila tor 23.

To facilitate replacement of the cartridges the spring clip 30 is manipulated out of contact with the resilient cup 3l whereupon the cartridge C is withdrawn from its operative position within the tube 21 and a new cartridge inserted.

While the present disclosure embodies an electric heating circuit of constant duration and broken by a switch (not shown), it is within the purview of this invention to connect an electroautomatic or other controlling element similar to that illustrated in my pending application to the circuit so as to heat the cartridge for a predetermined period.

Through the introduction of this invention it is manifest that a toothbrush holder and sterilizer of simple construction is provided and, through the particular assemblage of the elements involved the same can be manufactured cheaply and safely operated.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

In a combined toothbrush holder and sterilizer comprising a base, a body portion secured to the base, a fume chamber within the body portion, an electric heating element chamber within the fume chamber and communicating therewith, a deflector over the port between the aforesaid chambers, a cover over the fume chamber and having brush receiving apertures and fume exit ports therein, a top over the cover, a ventilator in the top, a tubular electric heating element in the heating element chamber, a block removably secured to the base in spaced relation thereto and removably supporting the heating element, said block having an aperture therein, a resilient cup removably disposed in the opening of the block, a cartridge removably seated in the cup and extending into the tubular heating element, means securing the tubular heating element to the block, means removably securing the cup within the opening of the block, and an electric circuit connected to the heating element.

FRED E. HART. 

